Pocket case



Oct. 25, 1966 G C, BERGH ETAL, 3,280,967

POCKET CASE Filed July 27, 1964 BY ROBERT G. BERGH United States Patent Ofi ice 3,280,967 v p POCKET CASE George C. Bergh and Robert G. Bergh, North Attleboro, Mass., assignors to Bergh Bros. Co., Incg, Attleboro Falls, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts` Filed July 27, 1964, Ser. No. 385,357 2 Claims. (Cl. 206-37) This invention relates to small box-like containers and more particularly to an improved construction for crush resistant pocket cases of the type frequently utilized in carrying small articles `such as keys or coins.

Cases of the aforementioned type must of necessity embody a combination of desirable features if they are to ultimately enjoy any appreciable measure of commercial success. More particularly, these containers must be of a sturdy and durable construction, but without excessive bulk tending to hamper their use in the relatively confined areas usually available in a mans trouser pocket or a ladys purse. In addition, a successful case construction must embody features which render the contents thereof quickly accessible to the user. Still further, the overall design and construction of the case must b e neat and attractive if the nished product is to have a pleasing, compact appearance.

Although the prior art devices have achieved a limited measure of success by combining a few of the abovelisted advantageous features, none have been completely successful in combining all of these features in a single case construction. lFor example, although some cases provide a relatively sturdy, crush-resistant construction, they do so at the cost of bulky appearance 4and difliculty in gaining access tothe articles contained therein. l u A These difficulties have now been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention, a general'object of which is to provide an improved case construction embodying v all of the above listed advantageous features. I

Another object of the present invention is 'to provide an improved pocket case having a hinged lid member with means associated therewith for facilitating the openlof bottom member 20 and its vassociated padding and ing of said lid when gaining' access to articles contained within the case.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a case construction suitably shaped to accommodate'the bulk of articles contained therein.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a pocket case having a sturdy durable construction with a pleasing compact design.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for resisting deformation of the pocket case by compressive forces exerted thereon.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a pocket key case embodying the concepts of the present invention. A portion of the hinged lid has been cut away to better illustrate the interior case construction;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the key case illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

The invention will hereinafter be described in connection with a pocket case of the type utilized in carrying one or more keys. It should however be undestood that this is intended only as a preferred illustration of the invention and is not to be considered as a limitation upon the ultimate scope of the inventive concepts contained herein.

Patented Oct. 25, 19661 With this introductory comment, the description will now proceed with reference to the drawings wherein a key case according to the present invention is generally referred to bythe reference numeal`10. The basic case construction is comprised in part of two rigid side members 12 herein shown for purposes of illustration as being fabricated out of sheet metal with upper and lower inwardly disposed flanges 14 and 16 extending inwardly therefrom. The lower flanges 16 of each side member are in turn provided at selected points (at least two on each side member) with integral extensions 18, one of whichv has. been shown in the enlarged sectional view comprising FIG. 4. f

A bottom member 20 extends between side members 12 and is provided with integral upstanding locking lingers 22 designed to extend upwardly through receiving slots 24 in extensions 18. Once inserted into the receiving slots, each locking linger is bent over as at 26 (see FIG. 4) to provide a means of mechanically interconnecting the bottom member 20v to the side members 12, thereby providing `a rigid frame structure.

, As can be further seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, prior to being connected to the side members 12 in the aforementioned manner, bottom member 20 is preferably provided with a decorative covering 28 and an underlying compressible padding material 30. Covering 28 and material 30 may be of any known composition and are primarily utilized to impart a pleasing appearance to the overall case construction. In certain instances where economy is an important factor, these materials may be omitted entirely, with the result that the exterior surface of bottoml member 20 will remain exposed in much the same `manner as the outer surfaces of the side members 12.

As can be best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the combination ycovering materials extends from the front end 32 of the case along the bottom edges of side members 12 to the rear end 34 of the case. Thereafter, in the preferred embodiment illustrated both the bottom` member 20 and covering 28 continue around the rear end 34 of the case and along the'upper edges thereof to terminate as at 36 at a point overlappinghinge' member 38. Consequently,

it can be seen that in this particular case construction,

"the case to provide both an end enclosure 40 and an thebottoin member and its covering material (without intermediate padding) extends around the rear end of immovable top portion 42 of the casing cover.

The front end 32 of the case is enclosed by a key retaining means 44 of generally known construction hav ing a plurality of eyelets indicated typically -by the reference numeral 46. The eyelets may be pivoted from positions contained within case 10 to extended positions as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each eyelet 46 is adapted to receive a key 48 in engagement -therewith as illustrated by the phantom lines in FIG. 1.

In View of the above, it should be apparent that cases designed to serve other purposes may be similarly constructed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, where coins are to be contained within the case rather than keys, the key retaining means 44 may be replaced by an end wall member. Moreover, separate top and rear end wall members could be utilized in place of the curved continuation of bottom member 20 extending around the rear end 34 of case 10 as previously described.

Hinge member 38 provides a means of pivotally attaching a lid member generally referred to by the reference numeral 50 to the case. The lid is constructed in a manner similar to bottom member 20 and is provided with a matching decorative covering 28' with compressible padding material 30' interposed therebetween. The hinge member 38 may be of any known construction and in the preferred embodiment, is provided with a snap feature permitting the cover to be: rapidly and securely shut. Furthermore, where desirable, the inner faces of side members 12, bottom member and lid member 50 may be covered with a relatively soft covering 39 of any known material. In the illustrated embodiment wherein the invention is being utilized as a key case, sidev members 12 are each providedV with intermediate portions 52 of increased height. The sides are tapered towardsthe front and rear ends from these enlarged intermediate portions to provide the desired minimum thickness which in tum permits the case to be carried inra pocket or purse Without imparting a bulky and unsightly appearance to the user. The increased space provided at intermediate p'ortion 52 accommodates the greater bulk of .the keys contained within the case and is a desirable feature, particularly when all of the eyelets 46 are being utilized. More-A over, the increased surface area provided at the intermediate portions of side members 12 provides a means of readily holding the case when opening the lid 50 in order to gain access to keys contained therein.v

As can be best seen in FIGURES l and 3, both the lbottom member' 20 and the case lid 50 are of a width greater than that defined by the opposed side members 12. This in turn results in the creation of laterally extending upper and lower ilanges` 54 andV 56 which' assist in facilitating the rapid and efficient opening of lid member 50. More particularly, the laterally extending anges' 54 and 56 on either side of the case maybe easily grasped by the users nger tips and simplyl pulled apartwhen opening the lid. In short the flanges serve as readily available handle members' without detracting from the overall attractiveness of the case.- l

Of still further importance is the fact that both ,thev lid member 50 and' the'bottom member 2'0 are provided with laterally extending ridges 58 cooperating with the side member portions 52 'of increased height to provide a fully enclosed case construction. The laterally extending ridges 58 greatly strengthen the lid and bottom member by effectively resisting distortion thereof which would otherwise result when compressive forces are exerted thereon. This is to be contrasted to' conventional construction where top and bottom membersV are relatively fiat and subject to distortion.

Having thus described some of the more prominent features of the invention, the advantages gained therefrom willI now be summarized. An advantage of considerable importance is t`o be found in the fact that the laterally extending flanges 54 and 56 combine to provide readily available gripping members which greatly facilitate the task of opening lid member 50. In addition, the ridges 58 in both cover member 50 and bottom member 20 greatly increase the strength of these components without an accompanying unsightly increase in the bulk of the nished product. When combined with the additional advantages of minimum bulkk and an overall attractive appearance, it becomes apparent that the abovedescribed construction results in the production of a much improved pocket case.

It is our intention to cover all changes and modifications of the invention Aherein chosen for purposes of disclosure which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A relatively' thin crush-resistant case of the type carried in a pocket or purse comprising the combination of: opposed side and end Wall members interconnected to form a continuous wall construction, said side wall members provided with opposed intermediate sections of increased width, bottom andtop` members cooperating with said continuous wall construction to fully enclose the interior of' said case, said top member comprised in part of a lid hinged to provide a means of gaining access to the interior of -said4 case, and means for resisting deformation of said top andv bottom members by compressive forces exerted thereon, said means comprising a single strengthening ridge extending transversely across said bottom and top members to provide each said bottom and top member with an arched' construction straddling and supported by the' section of increased width in said side wall members.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by the said bottom and top members overlapping said side wal-I members to provide extending anges capable of being readily gripped when opening saidv lid.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 785,279 3/'1905 Steiner 220-3'2 15,042,963 \10/11912y Petersony 206-1 X 1,787,793 1/1931 Noble 220-62 X 1,801,076- 4/1931 Ganzer 220-62 X FOREIGN PATENTS 465,850 6/1950 Canada.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner. 

1. A RELATIVELY THIN CRUSH-RESISTANT CASE OF THE TYPE CARRIED IN A POCKET OR PURE COMPRISING THE COMBINATION OF: OPPOSED SIDE AND END WALL MEMBERS INTERCONNECTED TO FORM A CONTINUOUS WALL CONSTRUCTION, SAID SIDE WALL MEMBERS PROVIDED WITH OPPOSED INTERMEDIATE SECTIONS OF INCREASED WIDTH, BOTTOM AND TOP MEMBERS COOPERATING WITH SAID CONTINUOUS WALL CONSTRUCTION TO FULLY ENCLOSE THE INTERIOR OF SAID CASE, SAID TOP MEMBER COMPRISED IN PART OF A LID HINGED TO PROVIDE A MEANS OF GAINING ACCESS TO THE INTERIOR OF SAID CASE, AND MEANS FOR RESTING DEFORMATION OF SAID TOP AND BOTTOM MEMBERS BY COMPRESSIVE FORCES EXERTED THEREON, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A SINGLE STRENGTHENING RIDGE EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ACROSS SAID BOTTOM AND TOP MEMBERS TO PROVIDE EACH SAID BOTTOM AND TOP MEMBER WITH AN ARCHED CONSTRUCTION STRADDLING AND SUPPORTED BY THE SECTION OF INCREASED WIDTH IN SAID SIDE WALL MEMBERS. 